Which of the following is listed as an 'Achiever' state is Niti Aayog Inaugural Report of Fiscal Health Index, listed in 2025?

1. A

   Jharkhand

2. B

   Maharashtra

3. C

   Uttar Pradesh

4. D

   Telangana

Appeared in: NVS- 2025

Explanation

• The question refers to the NITI Aayog's State Health Index, which groups states into 'Front-runners', 'Achievers', and 'Aspirants'.
• Jharkhand is classified as an 'Achiever' state, which represents the middle one-third of states in terms of health performance.
• This categorization is based on a composite score derived from various health indicators.
• Therefore, among the given options, Jharkhand is the only state listed as an 'Achiever'.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

• Option B: Maharashtra is consistently ranked as a 'Front-runner' in the NITI Aayog Health Index, placing it in the top tier of performing states, not the middle 'Achiever' tier.
• Option C: Uttar Pradesh is categorized as an 'Aspirant' state, which is the bottom one-third of performers. It has shown incremental improvement but is not in the 'Achiever' category.
• Option D: Telangana is also a high-performing state, classified as a 'Front-runner' alongside states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu. It is not an 'Achiever'.

Related Visual

Clinical Relevance

• Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain NITI Aayog's State Health Index and the performance-based categorization of Indian states as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
• Understanding the State Health Index helps community health nurses recognize the health disparities between states and identify regions that require more intensive public health interventions.
• Knowledge of a state's health performance (Aspirant, Achiever, Front-runner) provides context for resource allocation, policy focus, and the specific health challenges (e.g., high IMR, low immunization) a nurse might face in that region.
• This information is crucial for planning and implementing effective community health programs tailored to the specific needs of a state's population.

How to Approach the Question

• First, identify the key terms in the question: 'Niti Aayog', 'Achiever' state, and 'Health Index'. Note the discrepancy of 'Fiscal Health Index' and the future year, and infer it likely means the standard State Health Index.
• Recall the three main performance categories used by NITI Aayog for the State Health Index: Front-runners, Achievers, and Aspirants.
• Mentally place each of the given options into these categories based on general knowledge of state health performance.
• Maharashtra and Telangana are known to be high-performing states, so they are likely 'Front-runners'.
• Uttar Pradesh is known to face significant health challenges, making it an 'Aspirant'.
• By elimination, Jharkhand fits the description of a middle-performing 'Achiever' state.

Concept Tested & Keywords

• Concept Tested: NITI Aayog's State Health Index and the performance-based categorization of Indian states.
• Stem keywords: Niti Aayog, Achiever state, Health Index
• Lead-in keywords: Which of the following

Question ID

QCNZVOlb4IU5qeRdc9o9Ua

Copy ID

Reference Book

E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 1 — Subpart A (pp 26-201 of 604) p. 17-19